Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-01-29
VILLAGES or THE Noouls.
Perched on the Very Tops OF High Mesas
Tho Huts-Picturesque People.

Perched on the Very Tops Of High Mesas
Tho Huts-Picturesqu People.
OF all the Indian villages of the south
west, those of the Moquis are by far
the most picturesque. There are seven
Of them, all together, and all are perched
on the very tops of high mesas, which
are separated by few miles of open
country. but which are all in sight of
any of the towns. The settlement that
is best known, and that is more often
visited, consists Of three villages, built
in close proximity TO one another, and
appearing from a distance like groups
of swallow-nests settled upon the top of
an abruptly rising cliff. The second
mesa also contains three distinct viii
lagos; while the third has only one
town, in which, however, there is tho
largest population and greater print
tiveness of habits among the people.
The tribe numbers about $500 souls, as
early as can be estimated, and is COM
paratively wealthy. The property of the
people consists of large herds of sheep
and flocks of goats, which feed upon the
nutritious grasses of the reservation.
The villages are composed of small
square huts, built of stone, and covered
with heavy beams, which support
layer of earth; and the houses are piled
together, one on top of the other, with
exactly the same irregularity with which
child would make pile Of blocks.
Some OF the residences are built directly
on the edge of the cliff, while others face
an inner plaza or court. There are usu-
ally three tiers of houses, rising with
many angles almost to point, and lad
ders lead from roof to roof. The interior
of the homes is far more comfortable
than one expects to find, after gazing at
the dull-hued exteriors. They are dimly
lighted, to be sure, and low studded, but
are scrupulously neat and delightfully."-
cool. What light there is comes through
the open doorway, which may be in the
side or in the roof of the abode. The
floor is of adobe, carefully swept and the
walls of the same material are painted
white. The rule of one room to house
is rarely broken, and an entire family
lives in an apartment that seems, to a
stranger, hardly large enough for sin
gle person.
Still practising their ancient forms of
religion, the people lead quiet and un-
eventful lives, and cling tenaciously
to the customs of centuries ago. Meal
is made by grinding the corn between
heavy stones, and bread is cooked by
burying the dough in hot ashes. The
women are the hardest workers. They
are often exceedingly handsome, having
fully developed figures, large, lustrous
eyes, and compilations that give evidence
of perfect health. They dress in gowns
made of calico, that reach just below the
knee and cover the upper portion of the
body, and they are apparently modest.
Children wear no clothes until they are
or years of age, but play about the
village in absolute nakedness. Taken
as a whole, the Moquis are picturesque
people. They are supposed to be able tC
read the hieroglyphics on their ancient
pottery. Self supporting, and having g
form of government that is strictly theil
own, that has not changed for centuries
they have SO far adopted but few of the
customs of CIVILIZATION, and continue tt
live their primitive and interesting life.
- Edwards Roberts in Overland
Monthly.